Brendan Sinclair of Gamespot has reported that THQ unveiled its plans for a new UFC video game this week at E3, the industry’s largest and most famous showcase conference. The game, tentatively called UFC Trainer, will utilize the latest in motion sensor technology on the Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3 consoles to allow players to use their own movements to control the actions of their on-screen fighters.
Payout Perspective:
This is one of those ideas that sounds really great in theory, but I question how well it’s actually going to translate into the game. I’ll reserve judgment until gamers get to test this thing out, but color me skeptical; it seems quite difficult to accurately mimic the contact involved between two fighters in MMA (especially juxtaposed to the way you might be able to mimic the movement in a first-person shooter).
Moreover, I wonder if the release of this game might also cannibalize sales of the Undisputed title; itself, currently suffering from a bit of the sophomore jinx.
Saw a clip of this technology on Sportsnation on ESPN. They showed Tennis games and a few others. I really hope this works out because it would take gaming to the next level. Finally you wont have to tell kids to put down the games and get some exercise. The part that i think is going to be hard to implement is the ground game. Shadow boxing is and kicking would be easy to do and easy for sensors to pick up. Rolling around on the ground throwing submissions on invisible targets is not easy to do and you wouldnt think would be east for sensors to pick up. At least outisde of the sensors area being a huge box with sensors all around you.
Not to be confrontational, Kelsey, but did you read the Gamespot article? The fact its titled UFC Trainer, and that Gamespot has classified it as belonging to the “fitness” genre should point to the assumption that this is not supposed to be a fighting game. It seems that this game is aimed at a different segment of the market, in line with games like Wii Fit, which are based around the concept of getting exercise instead of playing your way through a game. Will an exercise game cannibalize a sports action game in a different genre because they share the same brand name? I’m leaning towards no. Just my two cents though. Looking forward to gamer reviews as well.
I don’t mind. 🙂
I did read the article – and several more – and while each confirmed the game was being made and released, none actually confirmed the title was solid. I didn’t want to make an assumption that the game would, in fact, be called UFC Trainer upon release (as titles often change in this industry).
Furthermore, the game is supposed to be a “more combative take” on what’s currently provided within the genre – suggesting it’s closer to a fighting game than an actual trainer. Hence, it may also be something that mimics the experience that a user gets from Undisputed (though in a different way) and that makes the suggestion of cannibalization much more realistic.
Like I said, I’ll reserve complete judgment until the game is demonstrated and reviewed (or I can get my hands on it), but I still remain skeptical. The UFC brand is strong, and it should be leveraged to diversify revenue streams and provide new and innovative ways for fans to interact with the sport. But, there’s a limit to how far you can push things. We’ll see if two games pushes that limit.
Thanks for your contribution.
Hey Kelsey, I have an article on the game on my site. I would be glad to post and share with your viewers as well. It talks a lot about how big of a financial risk this game is for THQ.
I will e-mail it to you, let me know what you think.
sounds great, but i think it would be more applicable to boxing because what happens when your opponent takes you down in game, but you don’t react fast enough in real life. then the game gets confused because in game your on your back but the camera sees you standing.